A video of a BYD electric car catching fire in Brazil drew the attention of internet users. However, the cause of the fire was reportedly an “improvised fix” made by the owner to charge the vehicle.
The incident occurred in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, last Sunday (19). According to witnesses, the car caught fire while being charged on the street.
The Fire Department reported that the fire was likely caused by an “improvised fix” made by the owner to charge the vehicle, but the exact causes are still under investigation.
Local media outlets reported that the car was connected to a standard household extension cord while the portable charger was inside the car with the windows partially closed.
This practice is not recommended by automakers, who warned that improvised charging methods can cause overheating and short circuits, potentially leading to fires.
Footage of the incident shows that the flames started inside the car and were quickly controlled by firefighters. Fortunately, the vehicle’s battery and electrical system were not damaged, and no one was injured.
“The likely cause was not the vehicle itself, but an improvised charging method. Extensions and chargers left confined inside the car increase the risk of overheating,” said Clemente Gauer, safety director at the Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association (ABVE), on social media.
“It is an improvised fix that should not be replicated. With a BYD fleet approaching 200,000 vehicles in Brazil, such cases are extremely rare. The problem lies in charging outside the standards. Safe charging is planned charging.”
An electric car caught fire on the afternoon of Sunday, 19, on Dr Bozano Street, in Santa Maria, RS.
The Fire Department said that, in principle, it was a problem with battery charging. pic.twitter.com/zjTCPOA7J7
— Tumulto BR (@TumultoBR) October 20, 2025
Photo and video: X @TumultoBR. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
